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“Ash Wednesday is a way of looking ahead to Easter,” Father Morrill said. “And here in the Northern Hemisphere, that also means looking ahead to spring.” Ashes are made from the palms blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year, and the tradition of placing them on penitents dates to the 11th century.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, Christianity's 40-day season of prayer, fasting and giving in preparation for Jesus Christ' resurrection.

The celebration dates back centuries to pagan celebrations of fertility and the season of spring.

Pastor Brian Erickson joined CBS 42 Morning News for our weekly Faith Matters segment to discuss Ash Wednesday.

ISABELA, Philippines — As churches across the world mark the beginning of the 40-day Season of Lent on Wednesday, Feb. 18, millions of Catholics will silently step forward to receive ashes as a sacramental sign of repentance.

Federal judge orders Trump administration to let ICE detainees at a Chicago-area facility access Ash Wednesday church services in First Amendment lawsuit

Faith Crossing UMC at Friendship Campus (34260 Walker North Rd., Walker): You can drive through the church’s front circle anytime between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday.